Seoul attracted 1.61 million foreign tourists in July 2026, according to figures released by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on 27 August — the highest monthly total ever recorded for the city and a 20.8 percent increase on the same month a year earlier.
The Numbers Behind the Record
The July figure beat the previous monthly record by a significant margin. Visitor spending was even more striking: foreign tourists spent more than 1.07 trillion won (approximately $773 million USD) via credit card in July alone, a 69.7 percent increase from July 2025. This marks the fourth consecutive month that monthly foreign visitor spending in Seoul has exceeded 1 trillion won.
The cumulative total from January through July 2026 reached 9.83 million foreign visitors to Seoul, up 21.3 percent year-on-year — putting South Korea’s capital well ahead of pace to shatter previous annual records.
By country of origin, Chinese visitors led with 600,000 arrivals in July, followed by 250,000 Japanese visitors, 200,000 from Taiwan, and 120,000 from the United States.
What’s Driving the Surge
Several factors are converging to push Seoul’s visitor numbers to these levels. K-culture — spanning K-pop, K-drama, K-beauty, and Korean cuisine — continues to bring first-time and repeat visitors who specifically plan itineraries around cultural experiences. South Korea’s anti-price-gouging rules, which came into force on 4 August 2026, are also signalling to visitors that the government is actively managing the quality of the tourism experience.
The city’s reputation for seamless public transport, excellent food at every price point, and a dense concentration of things to do in a compact area continues to strengthen Seoul’s appeal.
Planning a Trip to Seoul
July and August fall in Seoul’s peak summer season, with hot and humid weather and occasional heavy rain. September through November is widely considered the best time to visit — cooler temperatures, spectacular autumn foliage, and slightly thinner crowds.
For visitors arriving this autumn, the record-level summer numbers mean hotels and popular attractions will be coming off a very busy season. Booking accommodation early is strongly recommended, particularly around Korean Thanksgiving (Chuseok falls on 7 October 2026). Explore our guide to things to do in Seoul for inspiration on where to start.